Improvement in railroad signal-boxes



' E. B. WESTFALL.

Signal Light.

Patented Feb. 1, 1870.

[mentor- N. FETERs, FHQTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON, D c.

ainitmi finches pom can.

EZRA B.

WESTFALL, or WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND FRANK THOMSON, or SAME PLACE.

Letters Patent No. 99,382, dated February 1, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD SIGNAL-BOXES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To'all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EZRA B. WESTFALL, of Willimnsport, in the county of Lycomiug, and State of Pennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad Signal-Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exaot'description.

l. The objectof my invention is to convey signals to an approaching train; and the first part of my improvcment consists in a novel method of combining a fixed signal-box, having glass sides, of two or more colors, with ahorizontally-reciprocating light.

2. The object of the next part of my invention is to preventlnistakes by light shining through the wrong glass; and the improvement consists in a novel method of combining a signal-box, having glass sides, of two or more colors, horizontsly arranged, with a horizontally-movable compartment, having closed ends, to prcvent the light from illuminating any glass but that opposite which it is placed. 1

3. The object of the. next part of my invention is to secure a clear, steady light; and the improvement consists in combining a fixed signal-box, having closed sides and ends, buta perforated top and bottom, with a horizontally-sliding lamp-chamber, likewise closed at its sides and ends, but perforated at top and bottom, to secure an uniform supply of air in any position of the light.

4. The object of the next part of my invent-ion is to combine both a day and a night signal in one apparatus; and my invention consists in a novel method of combining a signal-box, having glass sides, with a liorizoirtallyonovable lamp-chamber, carrying a signalboard, which works horizontally through a slot in the signal-box, so that both the day and night signal may be operated by the same means.

5. The object of the next part of my invention is to allow the signal to be worked with. certainty by a telegraph-operator, ticket-agent, switch-tender, or other employee, at a distance from the box; and the improvement consists in a novel method of combining av fixed signal-box, with glass sides, with a horizontally- -reciprocating lamp-chamber, carrying a day signal,

working horizontally through a slot in the box, and with a rod or handle, by which the signals may be moved without opening the box.

6. The improvement further consists in a novel method of combining, in a. railroad signal-box, glass sides, of two or-more colors, horizontally arranged, and a perforated floor and ceiling, a horizontally-movable lamp-chamber, having closed ends, open sides, and a perforated floor and ceiling, a horizontally-sliding day signal, moving with the lamp-chamber, and a horizontally-sliding handle or rod to work the signals without opening the box.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown all proved apparatus, with both a day and night dangersignnl displayed.

Figure 2 represents a, similar view of the same, with the safety-signal shown.

Figure 3 represents a horizontal section through the apparatus, at the line a: a; of fig. 2, bntwith the parts in the position shown in fig. 1.

In this instance, I have shown an oblong box, A, with a flat bottom and an arched roof, having one end ofa wedge-shape, which end I call the front.

This box is divided into two con'ipartments, B B, the trout one, B, being the longer. "Each side of these compartments is furnished with panes of glass, in order that the signal may be seen by a train approaching from either direction. compartment has sides of red glass, while those of the other compartments are colorless.

The box has a door, b, to afford access to its interior. This box is to be firmly secured in a fixed position, and at right angles to. the track.

The hoop-chamber 0 forms a counterpart of the front end of the box A, (as shown in ii". 3,) and slides freely endwise in the box, being moved in either direction by a rod, 0, projecting through the rear end of the box.

A lamp, 1), is secured to the bottom of this box, in any suitable manner. The sides of the chamberO are open, to allow the light to show plainly, while its ends are closed, to prevent the glare from showing through any compartment save that opposite which the light is placed.

The top and bottom of this chamber are perforated, i

as at a, to admit air to the light. The bottom of the box A is also perforated in like number, while the roof is pierced by chin'mcys F, which descend into the box to aboutthe level of the eaves, where they flare out to form deflectors, as well as tubes, to conduct away the products of combustion. The perforations of the bottom of the box are covered with wire-gauze, a, and the perforated bottom of the compartment 0 is similarly protected, to prevent blowing out the light.

The sharp end of the box is slotted vertical] y, toadmit of the passage of a signal-board, E, which is at- In this instance, the front is shown, the lamp-chamber is drawn in, and the signal E is retracted into the box, as in fig. 2. When the red light is shown, the signal E is protruded, as in figs. 1 and 3.

Thus, I secure both a day and a night signal. The box being close, the light is protected from storms, and the apparatus is not apt to be clogged with ice and snow.

I am aware that a vertically-movin g signal has been combined with a fixedlight; and, also, that averticallymoving light has been combined with fixed glasses of different colors; and these devices I disclaim. I

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

. 1. The combination, with the fixed signal-box, having sidesof differently-colored glass, horizontally arranged, of the horizontally-reciprocating light-chamher, constructed and operated in the manner described.

2. The combination of the fixed signal-box, the horizontally arranged glasses of different colors, and the horizontally-movable light-chamber, having tight ends, to prevent the light from shining through any glass save that opposite to which it is placed, all these parts being constructed asset forth, for joint operation.

3. The combination, as set forth, of the perforated fixed signal-box, with the perforated horizontally-slidated top and bottom of the horizontally-movable lamp- ='chamber, having closed ends, open sides, and a per forated top and bottom, a day signal, moving harmoniously with the night signal, and a connecting-rod, passing through the box, to operate the signals without opening the box, all these parts being constructed for joint operation, as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name. 1

EZRA B. WESTFALL.

\Vitnesses:

J os. Onxwnonn, Trros. GUCKER. 

